Best Apps to Manage Your Passwords on OS X [Mac]

We are always recommended to have a variety for the different programs we use around the web. To better complicate things, we are then recommended to change those passwords periodically to fend away account compromises. When I need to get into an account fast, the last thing I want to do is try and sort through my memory which password matches this website. That’s why I save my passwords on Keychain Access. If you’re looking for something new, that’s where password managers come in. Here are a couple of programs and managers you can try them out.

1. Pastor

Pastor is unique in that it doesn’t just focus on saving passwords and codes. Pastor also allows you to generate secure passwords and saves you the effort to crack your brain in coming out with one. In addition, Pastor also gives you the option to pay through donation or download for free. If you aren’t convinced to try out Pastor just yet, the Pastor for iPhone companion may be the very thing that nudges you into trying out Pastor. You can download Pastor today on the developer’s website.

2. Dashlane

Dashlane hopes to be your one-stop password manager for every aspect of your Mac. To begin with, Dashlane is supported on major web browsers and mobile platforms. This means that whether you’re on Firefox or on your iPhone 5, Dashlane follows you along. Dashlane holds everything that you all it to know.

You could just keep it a password manager, or you can add payment information (making purchases quickly!) and other sensitive material (address, driver’s license, and other numbers). You should rest assure that all of your information is password protected – which some may call a necessary evil, so don’t forget that password either! Oh, the irony!

One aspect of Dashlane that I really liked was the security strength feature, allowing me to know if my complicated password was truly secured or a bunch of crackable numbers and letters.

3. LastPass

Like Dashlane, LastPass has a premium version. However, we are focused on applications that have strong free versions as well, something LastPass certainly has. LastPass focuses mostly on web passwords. Once you installed it in your web browser, you can then set up a “Master Password” which will safeguard your vault of passwords.

Let’s say you go to Facebook and sign in to your account. LastPass will prompt you to save your Facebook’s password to the vault. From there, whenever you are signed in on LastPass on your browser, the password is autofilled. But what if you are signing up for a new website? LastPass comes in handy here as well. When signing up, you can click “generate”, allowing you to use the password generator to create a secure password to save on LastPass.

LastPass has a free version, but as mentioned before, they have a premium version that costs $1/month. This gives you mobile device support, USB thumbdrive security, no ads, and priority support. Even the most frugal user can see that as a great deal!

4. Concealer

Concealer allows you to save notes, passwords, and other highly sensitive numbers and information. Concealer isn’t my utmost favorite among the other three for a couple of reasons. First off, It doesn’t seem like it was entirely built for the sensitivity of the information it contains. For example, you’re prompted to add your Concealer password to Keychain Access during set-up, which can save your password, but at the same time allowing others to easily access your Concealer information unless you click to not save the password.

Secondly, if you forget to lock the app when finished, it’s very easy to get in. Lastly, unless you purchase the full version, you are allowed to set only five accounts. This isn’t very useful, especially for me. So, why Concealer? If you aren’t looking to save every password you own, the interface and available features are great reasons to look into Concealer. However, heavy and even moderate users will almost require the premium version.

2 comments

Missing PasswordVault by Lava Software. One click login, sync to other devices over net or via usb, multi plattform: Linux, Win and Mac plus light versions for the same platforms. They also have password generation.